Wild Wave review

 

Another WILD adventure from Rodman Philbrick, author of Wildfire and Wild River. Wild Wave is the adventure of two kids trapped in the aftermath of a tsunami.(goodreads summary)I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle Schoolers Nick Chase and Jess Hardy are spending a Saturday morning at an animal rescue sanctuary called the Friends of the Wild. Jess is a volunteer and Chase is gathering information for a school podcast assignment for one of his classes.  Suddenly, out of nowhere, an earthquake hits and everyone is frantic.  When they look over the bay area, the water is gone and boats are overturned on their sides. Only mud is left where the sea should be.  Nick and Jess's instinct tells them to run as a tsunami hits destroying everything in its path.  As the two kids run for high ground, they depend on each other for survival by working together and putting their courage to the test. 

 

This was a heart pounding and exciting middle grade novel. The story begins immediately by plunging readers into Nick and Jess's fight to stay alive.  As the rushing floodwaters push them deep into the forest, they begin to wonder how they will make it to safety or if they will ever see their families again.  They eventually find Mr. and Mrs. Bumper, the high school soccer coach and the science teacher at their middle school stranded in the forest.  Knowing they need to help save them as well, they decide to continue to trek out on their own, readily prepared by the Bumpers to face the dangerous elements ahead.  Remaining level headed and working together was a key part of the story for their survival. The numerous cliffhangers throughout makes you want to keep turning the pages. The chapters are fast-paced and short which would work well for reluctant readers.  We learn a lot about Nick and Jess as characters and their families.  They show their vulnerabilities and fear like any person would in a challenging situation such as this. But they also demonstrated maturity, strength, problem solving, courage and hope in finding their families alive.  Readers will relate to the pair and cheer for a positive outcome.   A great adventure story to end the summer with or pick up at the upcoming school book fair.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 10-12.~

Title:  Wild Wave

Author: Rodman Philbrick

Pub. date: August 2024 Scholastic Press

Genre: middle grade fiction, adventure

Hardcover 192 pgs.

 

 

 

 

Dog Days of School review

 

Charlie thinks his dog, Norman, has got it good: he gets to spend his days lounging on the couch or playing fetch, and he never has to do any homework. But when Charlie makes a wish to be a dog instead of a boy, things get a little topsy-turvy!  (goodreads summary)

This is one of my favorite back-to-school reads and I bet many of our children could relate to this funny story about Charlie. He does not like going to school and is tired of practicing his letters and drawing pictures. Most of all he seems anxious on Sunday nights and has trouble falling asleep. That night, he makes a wish that he could be like his dog Norman, whose life seems pretty grand at the moment. He wakes up the next morning and finds that he has switched bodies with Norman the dog! This funny story shows kids that the grass may not always be greener on the other side. Illustrations are large and bold making it a visually great read-aloud for the younger ones. They will giggle seeing Charlie doing the things his dog really does during the day while Norman goes to school supposedly like a real boy.  Well, I guess be careful what you wish for!  I have enjoyed many books by this author and again this one definitely will be added to my list. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title: Dog Days of School
Author: Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Brian Biggs
Pub. Date:  June 2014, Disney-Hyperion
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 40 pgs.

How to Get Your Teacher Ready review

Written in tongue-in-cheek instructional style, a class of adorable students gives tips and tricks for getting a teacher ready for the first day of school, and all the events and milestones that will follow. (goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

  

This cute and simple how-to book is a great way to help kids get off on the right foot when starting out a new school year.   The children are the experts in this story by giving their teacher wonderful advice that starts with the transition of the first few days. It then prepares the class for several other special events to expect throughout the upcoming year such as; picture day, holiday concerts, the 100th day of school celebration and many other amazing things the class will encounter.  The text is simple with large and colorful illustrations making this a nice circle time read aloud for the younger grades.  This is a fun role reversal book showing how students are getting their teacher ready for a new school year instead of the teacher getting her students ready.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title:  How to Get your Teacher Ready

Author:  Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish

Pub. date:  July 2017, Alfred A. Knopf 

Genre: picture book

Hardcover,  32 pgs.